Friday, July 1, 2016

"Xanadu"

The Beverly makes an appearance in Robert Greenwald's 1980 Universal classic
"Xanadu" with Gene Kelly and Olivia Newton-John. Mr. Kelly gets taken
shopping to buy some "jazzy" new clothes. At the time of the filming the theatre had been turned into a Fiorucci store.

Another shot from the "Xanadu" shopping scene at the Beverly.
The number is Electric Light Orchestra's "All Over The World."

The theatre, demolished for a hotel project in the 80s, was at 206 N. Beverly Dr. in Beverly Hills. Opened in 1925, it had a long career as a first run venue before being turned into retail space and used as a bank. See our Beverly Theatre page for photos and more information.

The best known film role of the Pan Pacific Auditorium was in "Xanadu," in which the
decaying ruin is transformed into a nightclub with roller skating
patrons operated by Gene Kelly. Somehow roller skating in night clubs
just didn't catch on. The film used only the building's exterior.

A daytime look from "Xanadu."

The poor Pan Pacific, at 7600 Beverly Blvd., was neglected and unloved after newer facilities opened. It had opened in 1935, closed in 1972 and was demolished after a spectacular fire in 1989. See our page on the Pan Pacific Auditorium for more photos.